Mary C Shoop

Mary Iva Campbell Crook Shoop passed gently into the arms of her Savior January 8, 2012 just two days shy of her 83rd birthday. Mary was known for her ladylike nature and friendly manner that drew people to her. She delighted in her friends, her family and her faith.

Mary was born January 10, 1929 to Billie Iva McCauley Campbell and Robert Douglas Campbell, Jr. and was perhaps a little spoiled by her two brothers, Bob and Paul. Born to a long line of educators and Presbyterian clergymen of Scots descent, Mary enjoyed life in Dallas, applied herself academically and formed many strong friendships. Her father told stories of the far off places he travelled as engineer and taught her much of the biblical knowledge she would continue to learn all her life. Her resourceful mother would often hand make beautiful outfits for Mary who later went on to model clothes in her college years. After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1946, Mary chose to pursue her education at SMU. At SMU, Mary widened her circle of friends by joining Zeta Tau Alpha, serving as the Queen of the Drake Relays and working at the college library.

While at SMU, Mary was swept off her feet by the dashing SMU alum and war veteran Bill Crook. The two wed in December of her senior year and set up house in Dallas. As Bill joined his family's advertising agency, Mary began teaching at the elementary level. They rejoiced as their first child, Wilson Walter (Dub) Crook was born in 1953 and moved into the University Park home they were to live in until Bill's death in 1995. Mary enjoyed a joyful life as room mother, PTA volunteer, and HPUMC Sunday School teacher and two other children, Carol Anne (C.A.) and Lisa, joined the family.

In addition to supporting her husband's interests in business, archeology, hunting and genealogy, Mary invested her time in developing her friendships with women. To that end, she joined the Lakeside Browning Club, the Dallas Junior League, the Mentor Club, the Dallas Country Club, as well as others. She served as President of the Junior Group of the Marianne Scruggs Garden Club, the Mary K. Craig Class, and the Marianne Scruggs Garden Club and on the Board of Governors of the Dallas Woman’s Club. Both her father and husband Bill caught the genealogy bug, which in turn spurred Mary into joining many genealogical associations. She took great pleasure in her annual trips to New York with the Colonial Dames of America.

After Bill passed away, she married Tom Shoop and spent many happy hours with him attending Bible study, taking long walks and enjoying his devoted and protective care of her. After his death, she took much comfort in the wonderful friendships that so many of her delightful friends from church and clubs offered.

Preceded in death by first husband, Wilson Walter Crook, Jr. and second husband Thomas Way Shoop, Mary is survived by her brothers Robert Campbell and Paul Campbell. She is also survived by son Wilson “Dub” Crook, III and wife Ginny of Houston TX , step-son Robert Shoop of Colorado Springs, CO and daughters C.A. Kryder and Elisabeth “Lisa” Sinak and husband David of Dallas, grandchildren Gretchen Wright, Travis Crook, Will Kryder, Andrew Kryder, Kate Kryder, Caroline Kryder, Cotty Kerridge, Wynne Kerridge, Slade Sinak and Calder Sinak. The family would also like to extend its deepest appreciation to Mary’s devoted and fiercely loyal companion of later years, Marina Torres.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made to Highland Park United Methodist Church.